Where to watch the racers go by in Estes Park

Pro Challenge 101

By Walt Hester

Trail-Gazette

Posted:
08/03/2013 08:17:42 AM MDT

The Devils Gultch Road snakes up the switchbacks toward Estes Park. This is where riders will battle for the last King of the Mountains points in the Pro Challenge. (Walt Hester / Estes Park Trail-Gazette)

The town sign signals the exit from Estes Park on Big Thompson Avenue. Riders in the Pro Challenge will buzz past this sign at more than 30 miles per hour. (Walt Hester / Estes Park Trail-Gazette)

The first thing to know about watching a pro cycling event, like the USA Pro Challenge, live is that it will be over in a flash. The fan has to make the most of where he or she watches a race whistle past.

On Saturday, August 24, when stage 6 of the Pro Challenge tours Larimer County, a fan can either watch the start and finish, about 18 miles apart in Loveland and Old Town Fort Collins, or from Estes Park. One can not do both. Road closures will make travel nearly impossible along the route. If a fan is in Estes Park, he might as well make the best of it. And, as it turns out, the views may actually be the best. The route through Estes Park offers lots of options, thanks to the race planners wish to reward Estes Park for its contribution to the stage.

For the thrill of competition, the Glen Haven switchbacks will be prime real estate on race day. The whole climb starts earlier than the foot of the switchbacks, so is considered only a 5.3 percent incline. The slog from the post office to the switchbacks is not what worries climber, however. It's that last mile at 8.6 percent that gets you. It gets steeper the further in one goes. The last half-mile is over 10 percent. This climb will likely determine the winner of the King of the Mountains competition, as the final points of this race within the race will e awarded at the top of the climb. Be at the top to see who wins the competition. Find a spot at the third switchback for the longest view.

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To see the most of the riders, Estes Park gets a unique opportunity. Any of the corners where US-34, US-36 come together at the east end of Elkhorn Avenue will see riders fly by twice. The riders will come into downtown off of Wonderview at the intersection, and see the riders depart to head back down the canyon here, as well. This may also offer the most room, with the four corners and the streets closed.

To get a genuine feel for the difference between a pro racer and a recreational rider, Mary's Lake Road would be the place to watch. The climb starting at the intersection of Moraine Avenue and Mary's Lake Road is not quite 1.5 miles at about 7 percent. For an average person, this is a leg-burning grind at or below eight miles per hour. For the pros, this is only a fourth category climb that they will take at better than 12 mph.

If one is a fan of pure speed, there are two options. The sprinters battle for points right in the middle of downtown, before turning up Moraine Avenue. If there is a break away, the lead riders won't make a big deal out of it, in stead trying to work to stay off the front. If the Points Jersey competition is close, this may produce some fireworks, as it is the last of three intermediate sprints on the sixth stage.

The second spot to watch is when the riders come screaming back into town off of South St. Vrain Avenue. In front of the Rocky Mountain Park Inn, riders will likely hit 40-45 miles per hour before swinging left toward Big Thompson Avenue.

One could also make a case for the race's exit from Estes Park, heading east down Big Thompson Avenue past Dry Gulch Road and the back side of the Olympus Dam. Again, the pros will hit speeds of nearly 40 miles per hour.

If one wants an amazing backdrop, again there are two options. The race swings pat the Stanley Hotel as they ride into town. Wonderview from MacGregor Avenue, all the way to the turn onto Elkhorn Avenue offers views of the historic hotel.

The climb back out along Big Thompson Avenue from downtown to Our Lady of the Mountains Catholic Church will give the fan a view of the Continental Divide behind the on-rushing riders.

Estes Park offers plenty of vantage points to see this amazing event. Steak out a spot early and watch the USA Pro Challenge fly by.

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